The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1887-11-23
INTERFERING WITH MONTANA CEN
TRIAL WORK.
The Northern Pacific Attempts to Block the
Montana CentraTs way into Helena.

Montana CentraTs way into Helena
HELENA, November 19.-The Montana
Central is still the all absorbing topic.
Consequently it was with no little degree
Of interest that information was yesterday
received to the effect that the Northern
Pacific Rail Road was endeavoring to i'm
pede the progress Of the Montana Central
by obstructing a portion of it's track which
the new road is compelled to cross in order
to enter the city. The news soon spread
like wild fire, and shortly afterwards all
who could spare time hastened to the
scene, going either on foot or horseback
or by any conveyance then handy. In
considerably less time than takes to relate
it, about 1000 persons had gathered at
the place designated, a point about 300
yards west of the cemetry, at which place
a busy scene was being enacted. I'M
mediately on the Helena & Red Mountain
track, across which the Montana Central
had to go, stood a monster Northern Pa
citic engine to which was attached several
box and fiat cars, forming a complete bar
rier to further advance of the new road.
On either side of this train had been be-
gun the construction to two switches or
side tracks, by Northern Pacific laborers,
some thirty or more of whom we're busily
occupied in handling material required
for building of the switches stated. Thus
matters stood until the near approach of
the rail handlers and spike drivers Of the
Montana Central, who upon arriving at
the Northern Pacific crossing found their
way impeded and halted to await further
orders. All was now excitement, and the
crowd from the city that had in meanwhile
increased to about double its original
number, looked anxiously upon the scene,
conjuring in their minds what next would
be done. Many we're the sentiments Of
disapproval expressed at the Northern Pa
cific for its shameful conduct and before
many moments the indignation had be-
come intense to such degree that some |
one, presumably in authority for the Mon
tana Central ordered the Northern Pacific
engineer to move his train away from
being notified. This command again in
creased the excitement, and soon orders
were flying between the engineer and the
department he was serving, resulting in
the backing up of the train some 200 yards
away from the crossing. Simultaneous
with this movement the Northern Pacific
laborers also began undoing the work Of
switch building which they had begun,
leaving the grounds clear for the opposite
party who had by that time taken pos
session Of the crossing, and were proceed
ing with the laying of ties and frogs.
They soon filed up the gap and continued |
on toward the city without further in
cident There is a rumor current that |
orders had been received from ST. Paul to
make no further opposition, and aside
from a delay to the Montana Central Of
about two hours, nothing of a serious
nature occurred. To lockers on however
it was apparent that trouble was averted
more through the instrumentality of local
managers of both roads than by any or
der that might have been received from
st. Paul; and no doubt their display of
good judgment and business tact added
materially to the amicable settlement, at
least for the present, Of all differences by
permitting the road to proceed. Great
preparations are being made for the cele-
bration which takes place on Monday, the
21st. The procession will form on Main
street promptly at 1:30 o'clock, and will
march down to the depot to meet the
train which will arrive about o'clock.
President Hill, of the Manitoba, and party
will be escorted to their carriages at once
and the procession will countermarch
through the principal streets of the city
to the opera house, where the exercises of
welcome will be conducted. The pro-
cession will form on north Main street
with the right resting on sixth avenue
under the supervision of Chief Mar
shall Thomas P. Fuller at 5 p. m.
The ConsDiracy Case.